Overnight Backpack to Goat Creek on Salmon River Trail West

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dgweston
Posts: 30
Joined: June 4th, 2017, 4:04 pm

Overnight Backpack to Goat Creek on Salmon River Trail West

Post by dgweston » July 23rd, 2017, 5:55 pm

I hit the trail early-ish (8:00 a.m.), aspiring to make it up to the campsite at about 8.7 mi. Alas, the campsite at Goat Creek at 5.4 mi was too perfect to pass up. Plus there was a good bit of climbing in the previous two miles. The risk was I'd have company, and sure enough, a small group with kids "moved in" next door. I was a little disappointed because I hoped for solitude, but thankfully, they were very respectful. Later, another backpacker took up digs further down the line. Curious to see a bit of what I missed, I set up camp and hiked on a couple of miles. After the first mile, it was back to climbing, but without the beauty. A few spots were also washed out, and I was glad not to have a full pack.

I recommend going during the week if you like a little more solitude, but otherwise, it's a great destination for families and anyone newer to backpacking. There are loads of campsites in the first two miles, and all of those are right off Salmon River.
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Good-sized parking lot. Probably wise to arrive a little early on weekends. At 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, it was about half full.
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Obligatory bridge photo. There are two of these bridges. Second one went over a pretty babbling brook.
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Wilderness registration at 2 miles. Happy to find a working pen!
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My tent playing peek a boo? Great campsite at Goat Creek.
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Hammock = bliss
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I saw a couple patches of whatever this is. Some type of fungus I assume. It was pretty cool.

UPDATE: Thanks to Bobcat, I now know this is a gnome plant (Hemitomes congestum). Per Bobcat, and various descriptions elsewhere, "There is a connection to fungi as well: gnome plants are fungus parasites." I feel very lucky to see it!
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